India & China Agree To End Doklam Standoff: Ex Affairs Ministry

China and India have agreed to end the standoff at Doklam on Sikkim’s border after nearly two months of military tension between the two nations.

The decision comes days before Prime Minister’s expected visit to China for a BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit.

The Ministry of External Affairs released a press statement in this regard:

An official statement said the step was taken after rounds of bilateral discussions through diplomatic channels, reported The Hindu. The Indian government’s statement hints that the disengagement understanding was mutually agreed upon by both the nations and China has said that it will continue to patrol the region.

China FM on #Doklam: India will withdraw troops, China to continue its sovereignty rights in accordance with the historical border agreement

— BBC India (@BBCIndia) August 28, 2017

In June 2017, Doka La became a site of a major stand-off between Chinese and Indian troops as the former attempted to extend a road from Yadong further southward on the Doklam plateau. Unlike China and Bhutan, India does not have a territorial claim on Doklam, however, the country supports Bhutan’s claim.

In August, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said that the only way out of the Doklam standoff at the tri-junction with Bhutan is dialogue and not war.

Also read:

“War Not An Option, Solution Can Only Be Reached Through Dialogue”: Sushma Swaraj On India-China Military Standoff